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Garda Stations Closures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 February 2013

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Ceisteanna (147)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

147. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will specify his plans for the total number of Garda stations by the end of 2013, 2014 and 2015. [6089/13]

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Freagraí scríofa

At the end of 2013 there will be 564 Garda stations in the State. By comparison with other similar jurisdictions this is still a high number. By way of comparison, there are 83 police stations in Northern Ireland for its population of 1.4 million and 340 stations in Scotland for its population of 5.2 million. In the London Metropolitan area, 66 police stations are due to close, leaving 73 police stations open to the public.

Each year the Commissioner prepares a Policing Plan which outlines his proposals for providing the policing service in the country for the following year. Among other things, these plans must include any proposals he has for the re-organisation of the Divisional or Regional network together with any plans he has for the closure of a Garda station. The plans for 2014 and 2015 have not yet been prepared, however, from discussions with the Garda Commissioner I understand that the current consolidation process will be largely completed by the end of this year and it seems unlikely at this point in time that there will be any further station closures in 2014 and 2015. The delivery of the most effective policing service possible to the public will of course remain the objective of future policing plans. It will be for the Garda Commissioner, using his professional judgement, to formulate such proposals, and he will continue to have my support in seeking to maximise the number of Gardaí on active frontline duty, preventing and detecting crime right across the country.

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